Configurable man-machine communication structure for machine tool or robot control systems

Abstract

A numerical control system for machine tools or robots has in the area of man-machine communication (MMC) initially a universal form, which can be tailored in the simplest possible way to any applications. Information handling provides control data which can be processed in a universal manner by an integrated control kernel (CK) and thus ensures control of the machine and robot drives (ANT), including peripherals (PER).

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A numerical control system for machine tools or robots, in which an object-oriented programming takes place, in that object classes are provided, from which a number of objects can be formed, and a message mechanism exists for communication with other objects, comprising: a) a man-machine interface for inputting user information;   b) a sequence control;   c) a plurality of object classes for abstract types of data, including data on machining, geometry, kinematics, and technology;   d) a special object class for abstract types of control data, wherein said special object class has one or more control data generating methods;   e) an integrated numerical control kernel, which can take the form of an object class, wherein any number of objects can be formed from each of the plurality of object classes, wherein each of said objects has its own data area;   f) a procedure part for executing one or more methods, including machining methods, geometry methods, kinematic methods or technology methods; and   f) a message mechanism for communication with other objects, wherein any number of objects can be formed from the special object class, the user information input via the man-machine interface is interpreted by the sequence control and leads to an activation of selected objects, the activated objects exchange mutually required information by means of their message mechanisms, the activated objects contribute their share of control data generation status-dependently directly or by means of further objects and consequently form an executable functional unit for the numerical control system, the sequence control itself takes the form of an object class, the objects of which have methods that allow a status-dependent interpretation of an abstract description of an operating sequence from a control-internal data management.   
     
     
       2. The numerical control system according to claim 1, wherein each object is assigned a visualization part, upon the activation of which a respective object can impose visualization requirements on an operating surface of the man-machine interface or can display the object's own data in a form in which it can optionally be edited. 
     
     
       3. The numerical control system according to claim 2, wherein all the object classes, including the sequence control, are formed in the control-internal data management as abstract data models, and the data models can be supplemented by abstract application-specific types of data, or can be modified by application-specific object forms. 
     
     
       4. The numerical control system according to claim 1, wherein object combinations can be provided with selective access mechanisms. 
     
     
       5. The numerical control system according to claim 2, wherein object combinations can be provided with selective access mechanisms. 
     
     
       6. The numerical control system according to claim 3, wherein object combinations can be provided with selective access mechanisms.